75 M1 - Term: 2, Round: 2 (2/2)

”That's a good idea,” Daedo said.

St Claire looked at him like his brain was addled.

”Why is that a good idea?” Matthias asked politely this time. He was genuinely interested in why Daedo thought it was a good idea.

”The point of this group and the Middle Academy is to win the Tier 3 competition and maximize points giving the Upper Academy the best possible chance,” Daedo began. ”Only the strongest will make this happen. The Strongest in skill, tactics, and equipment. It makes perfect sense if there is a stalemate to decide it with a duel,” Daedo stated.

”I like him,” Matthias changed his tune one hundred and eighty degrees. ”It wouldn't have to be squad based. It could be one vee one.”

”It could, but that would nullify much of the tactics factor,” Daedo replied.

Matthias was ranked second on the Gauntlet, albeit third if Daedo was counted. Along with Siderus, he was one of the most skilled pilots in M3.

”We are getting off topic. I do not like this talk of duels,” St Claire said sternly. ”It is not part of the process traditionally used for good reason. The more skilled pilot does not necessarily have the right answer.”

”Might is right,” Matthias said grinning evilly.

”That is a cautionary adage, for dictators altering history,” St Claire responded.

”Exactly. The winners wrote history. The strong dictate diplomatic outcomes,” Matthias said. ”You are supporting my argument.”

”We have five at the table,” Siderus chimed in. ”This means we always have a tie-breaker there is no need for duels.”

”Unless we have six,” Matthias responded. ”I now vote to include Daedo or Daedalus whatever they call themselves. And agree to their terms. All in favour?”

”You are not the Chair Matthias,” Siderus said. ”But I agree and call a vote, that is two in favour.”

”I am in favour, but I do not agree to Duels as a means of decision making,” St Claire said.

”I am not in favour. I do not think we should be voting without Kalman,” Deimos said.

”We can just have a vote whether we should vote without him. It was his choice not to attend,” Matthias said snarkily.

Deimos huffed and crossed her arms. It was clear she had lost. It was three versus one, and her attempt to delay the vote was not going to work.

”So that means Daedo has a vote now Mr Chair?” Matthias asked politely.

Siderus nodded, ”I trust Daedo has a firm head on his shoulders.” He said pointedly at Daedo.

”I think the next matter is whether we include or exclude Kalman. It's something you would like to discuss and vote on now? Or should we vote on it next week,” Siderus said.

”I don't like leaving things unfinished and undecided. I would like to vote now,” Matthias said firmly.

St Claire and Deimos nodded. Daedo made no indication, there were already three in agreement.

”Very well, make your positions clear and then we will vote,” Siderus said. ”We will go left around the table, Matthias you are up first,” Siderus was chair and was dictating how the decision was being discussed and made. By selecting the clockwise method, Matthias would go first, and Siderus would have the last say.

”It's pretty simple,” Matthias began he had been totally turned into Daedo ally for his own reasons, ”Kalman in. We cannot remove a squad and House leader from M3, Daedo should not be seen as a Thoth replacement. He is joining because of their exceptional tech, which we need.”

Daedo scratched his head. He had not worked out Matthias' motives. Vannier must have sensed it.

Vannier: he wants to have six at the table so he can have a duel whenever there is a tie. That will be his next move, probably this week before Kalman can come back and vote with Deimos.

*Mace: why if Kalman always votes with Deimos?*

*Vannier: its possible the three are often aligned.*

”It is clear that Kalman has nothing to offer. The M1 Thoth Squad is superior in every way. He should be their representative. Kalman has shown from his absence and his message that he is superfluous. My vote will be Daedo replaces Kalman for the fifth seat,” St Claire stated.

The vote was not being held at the moment it was arguments. But that did not mean that St Claire could not state how he was voting. It was a tactic.

Deimos looked like she was torn. She shifted in her seat as if she was uncomfortable. Finally, she sighed and said, ”I think Kalman offers sound strategic advice and can add value. However, it will unbalance this group too much having six members. And M1 Thoth has clearly shown, through achievements, they should be represented at the least in the Inter-Academy decision-making process.”

”Woah,” Matthias said. He was obviously not expecting Deimos to advocate that Kalman lose his seat. That guy doted on her, and she played him like a virtuoso.

Siderus held up a hand to Daedo, ”I will go next. Being new I want to allow you to listen to everyone before offering your thoughts.”

”You mean listen to you,” Matthias laughed at Siderus.

”I am in agreement with Matthias, it would set a bad example to exclude Kalman without him here to make his case. I think for now he should keep his seat. However, we could change our minds at a future date if he was unable to add value to the group.”

Siderus nodded to Daedo, it was two votes each. St Claire and Deimos fully expected Daedo to side with them despite pressure from Siderus. The fact that the two strongest cadets wanted an even number of six which could result in duels was not lost on the others.

Daedo thought about it, and his squad was silent not wanting to interfere with a decision they thought lay with him.

”It could be viewed as unfair that a member of this committee was kicked out without making their case or some sort of process to determine the Thoth representative. That is what the position was allocated to. Thoth. And as none of you are from Thoth, I do not think you have the right to dictate who represents the House. It is my view that until Thoth determine otherwise, Kalman stays. M1TS0s admission to this group was not hinged on a Thoth leader being ejected, that was not in our terms.”

”Holy shit, he is good,” Matthias said happily. Daedo had voted with him. He couldn't care less about the Thoth bullshit.

Deimos leaned across the table to Matthias. ”I'm looking forward to you duelling him,” she said with a mischievous grin.

Deimos put a hand on Daedo's shoulder, ”That was well said. I am changing my view and vote.”

Matthias laughed. ”Yeah, cos you lost. Duh.”

Siderus called the vote, and it went as expected. The committee would expand to six and Kalman was going to stay.

”Daedo, I will send you the proposals for the cadet selection process. We all have compiled our ideas into proposals and shared. If you take these in, you will be informed for next meeting,” Siderus said.

”Are we done?” Matthias asked.

Siderus nodded.

”Nice meeting you shorty,” Matthias said. He stood, turned and marched out with some of his squad in tow.

”You did well,” Deimos said with a pat on the shoulder and a smile. She stood and left the cafeteria with a couple of her squad who were waiting in the wings.

St Claire looked at Daedo seriously, ”I look forward to working with you.” He did not smile nor sound enthusiastic. He stood and was about to leave, but he stopped and turned back before adding, ”You should sell your exos cheaper if you can. Not all squads can afford them, and it skews the results of talented pilots.”

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